Veteran guard Jon Halapio will return to the starting lineup against Tennessee

The Gators' top offensive lineman missed the season's first two games, ending a streak of 27 consecutive starts

September 16, 2013|By Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel

GAINESVILLE — Gators RG Jon Halapio will return to the starting lineup on Saturday when Tennessee visits the Swamp.

A torn pectoral muscle sidelined Halapio during preseason camp and UF's first two games, ending a string of 27 consecutive starts.

The return of Halapio, a second-team preseason All-SEC pick, bolsters a Florida offensive line battling injuries since last spring.

LT D.J. Humphries also is expected back after knee soreness sidelined him during the second half of a Sept. 7 loss at Miami. But RT Tyler Moore is questionable with a left ankle injury, coach Will Muschamp said Monday .

Senior Kyle Koehne, who replaced Halapio in the first two games, or junior college transfer Trenton Brown would replace Moore if he cannot play.

CB Marcus Roberson, who injured his knee against Miami, also will play this weekend.

• Senior Jaylen Watkins will move from cornerback to safety to replace redshirt freshman Marcus Maye in the starting lineup. Maye gave up a 52-yard touchdown to UM WR Phillip Dorsett during Florida's 21-16 loss.

• UF expects a sellout crowd Saturday as the Gators look to extend their winning streak to nine games against the Vols.

Mike Hill, the executive associate athletic director of external affairs, said the school has around 100 single-game tickets and limited number of club seats remaining. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium has a capacity of 88,548.

Coming off three straight losing seasons, Tennessee — 2-1 under new coach Butch Jones — returned roughly 3,500 tickets of its allotment.